Vegetable Lentil Soup
A hearty, nourishing soup packed with seasonal veggies and protein-rich lentils, ideal for meal prepping. This mediterranean-inspired asian (vegetarian) ready in about 60 minutes pairs cooked lentils, medium, diced carrots, stalks, diced celery for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 150 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup, cooked lentils
- 2 medium, diced carrots
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 1 medium, diced onions
- 2 tbsp tomato puree
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 bay leaves
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced onion and sauté for 3 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Stir in 2 diced carrots and 2 diced celery stalks. Cook for 5 minutes until slightly tender.
- Step 3: Add 2 tbsp tomato puree, 1 tsp cumin, and 4 cups vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 25 minutes.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 cup cooked lentils and 1 bay leaf. Cook for 10 minutes until the lentils are tender. Remove bay leaf before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Vegetable Lentil Soup take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (20 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Vegetable Lentil Soup?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep cooked lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Vegetable Lentil Soup?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Vegetable Lentil Soup for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Vegetable Lentil Soup vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Perfect asian recipe for a weeknight dinner.
- ★★★★★
Kids gobbled it up without complaints — that's a 5-star in my book.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
